[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]From the team that brings you Visa Wellington On a Plate and Beervana, the Wellington Culinary Events Trust has announced the launch of New Zealand’s first dedicated spirits and cocktail festival, Highball.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image media=”65213″ media_width_percent=”100″ alignment=”center” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Held over two days on 11-12 May 2019 at Wellington’s historic Embassy Theatre, Highball is an immersive celebration of cocktails and spirits, where people can explore fine distills, rare exports and other libations, presented by local and international distilleries, as well as the best of Wellington’s cocktail bars and talent.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image media=”65211″ media_width_percent=”100″ alignment=”center” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Highball is partnering with Liquorland to showcase 16 regional and international distilleries, including House of Angostura, Glenfiddich and Johnnie Walker, as well as Kiwi craft spirits producers, like Reid & Reid, Denzien Urban Gin Distillery, Thomson Whisky and Sacred Spring.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image media=”65212″ media_width_percent=”100″ alignment=”center” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Festival goers can learn directly from 14 local and international cocktail and spirits experts at the Highball Seminar Series on topics such as the history of cocktails, Tiki culture and the many different ways spirits can be used as ingredients to enhance your beverage of choice.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image media=”65206″ media_width_percent=”100″ alignment=”center” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In true Wellington style there will gastronomic delights from some of Wellington’s best restaurants and local live musical acts for all to enjoy.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image media=”65208″ media_width_percent=”100″ alignment=”center” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Sarah Meikle, Wellington Culinary Trust Chief Executive, says Wellington is the perfect home to New Zealand’s first cocktail festival. “What better city to host New Zealand’s first cocktail and spirits festival than Wellington? We’re gaining an international reputation as one of the world’s great culinary cities and established two very successful annual food and beer festivals,” she says.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image media=”65204″ media_width_percent=”100″ alignment=”center” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“We thought it was high time we added cocktails and spirits to this line-up. It’s the perfect way to recognise and celebrate the cocktail and spirits industry, the talent within it, and also offer something new and exciting for the public to get behind.”
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image media=”65210″ media_width_percent=”100″ alignment=”center” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The festival launches with the inaugural New Zealand Spirits Awards on the Friday of Highball weekend (10 May) and is followed by the first annual Wellington Cocktail Week, showcasing the capital’s rich and colourful cocktail scene with a series of events, special menus and masterclasses in restaurants, bars and cafes.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image media=”65209″ media_width_percent=”100″ alignment=”center” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Robert Brewer, Chief Executive of industry body and Highball supporting partner, Spirits New Zealand, says Highball is a wonderful opportunity to bring the best of New Zealand’s spirit producers and talent together with its international counterparts to consumers.
“We’re also pleased to see there is a strong component of spirits education; using spirits as an ingredient in an informed way and enjoying spirits in a socially responsible manner.”
Tickets for Highball go on sale on 25 March at www.highball.co.nz.
Source: Highball
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